Andean Group - January 2019

Peru’s Vizcarra bolstered after referendum success

In the referendum held in Peru on 9 December 2018, three of the four proposals were passed with ‘yes’ votes of upwards of 85%, a result which sees President Martín Vizcarra’s mandate strengthened as he approaches his second year in office. The fourth proposal – to return the Peruvian congress to a bicameral legislature (the current unicameral format was introduced by President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) in 1995) – was rejected by 90% of voters. Although President Vizcarra had initially also backed that proposal, he withdrew his support after modifications were made by the Fuerza Popular (FP) majority in congress. The three proposals which received popular support in the referendum were: a ban on the direct re-election of members of congress; a reform to the body that appoints members of the judiciary; and the introduction of regulation on how political parties are financed.